Women to watch

Mona Abdul Manap, founder and managing director, Place Borneo, Malaysia In her early 30s, Mona Abdul Manap is known for being extremely passionate about the work she does, and for her courage to chase after regional and world conferences whose gestation period is around three to five years.

Mona Abdul Manap

Another aspect that sets Mona apart from other young entrepreneurs is her determination to dedicate time and resources in helping non-profit organisations that lack the resources and expertise to organise conferences and forums to raise awareness of their causes. Dona Drury Wee, president of Sarawak Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SSPCA) said: “Place Borneo has provided invaluable assistance to the SSPCA for many years, in organising an international animal welfare conference (Asia for Animals Borneo), to smaller workshops for our rescuers, volunteers, and local council representatives and also the Animazing Race which includes the Wiggle Waggle Walk and Interfaith Pet Blessing.”

Beatriz Lim, managing director, Team Asia, the Philippines Thirty-year-old Beatriz Lim is proving to be a professional since becoming the managing director (in 2013) of Team Asia, founded by her high-achieving parents, mom Monette Iturralde-Hamlin and late stepfather Mike Hamlin.

“Taking a challenge head-on is in her genes. Still very young, she is already looking to be one of the industry’s leaders,” said Aye Ubaldo, executive director of the Internet and Mobile Marketing Association of the Philippines, who worked with Lim in various projects. Peter Hayden, general manager of Capital One Philippines, noted that Lim “balances the unique knowledge of a seasoned veteran in both the PR and event management industry in Asia with… a deep understanding of the young talented workforce… and the role they can play in the dynamic emerging digital economy”.

Kin Qin, deputy general manager, Century Holiday International Travel Group, China Growing up in the new millennium when tourism in China was taking off, this 32-year-old’s first and only job since completing her hospitality industry studies in Shanghai is with Century Holiday.

Starting in operations and handling South-east Asian tourists, Kin Qin is now in charge of the 20-year-old company’s inbound business – including events. She also manages more than 60 people.

Qin is now working towards her Master of Science in Hotel and Tourism Management from the Hong Kong Polytechnic University and until she graduates in November 2018, marriage plans and starting a family are on hold.

“I am one of five female heads in Century Holiday and my aim is very clear. Stay, look for new business opportunities, help the company innovate its online and offline products, and work on my EQ to be a more outgoing leader.”

Crediting managing director James Liang for giving young women the opportunity to develop their careers, Qin said the female heads have his support to balance work and family life.

Sinat Hin, business advisor, Cambodian Rural Development Team At the age of 29, Sinat Hin, is already making her mark on Cambodia’s tourism industry. Since graduating from tourism management in 2009, she has worked at a string of tour operators, including Hanuman Travel, in a range of roles catering towards corporate clients. Her ambition and passion has caught the eye of industry experts, who believe she is one to watch.

Sinat Hin

Kimhean Pich, CEO of Discover the Mekong, said: “Sinat is hard-working, intelligent and ambitious. She has vast experience, a clear understanding of the tourism industry and a promising future.”

Katy Mo, operations director, LORE, Hong Kong Educated at the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, Mo’s skills in theatre and corporate events have allowed her to not only lead the conceptual stage of events but also bring to life immersive engagements for an audience of 20 or 20,000. She balances her job and responsibilities at work with time spent grooming the next generation of business events specialists.

According to Joanne Cheng of Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong, a business partner of LORE, Mo also stands out with the personable way she interacts with her team and the hotel’s chefs. – Prudence Lui

Chloe Armstrong, event executive, Melbourne Convention Bureau, Australia Chloe is considered by her peers at the Melbourne Convention Bureau (MCB) as a quiet achiever making a big impact.

After joining the bureau in 2014 as convention services and sponsorship coordinator, she has since been promoted to bid executive and her current role, event executive. Most recently, she was selected by PCMA for its 20 in Their Twenties programme, which recognises emerging leaders globally.

This is her first job since she graduated in Tourism Management from Universiti Teknologi MARA in Shah Alam. Her duties include being a government liaison for organisers, helping organisers with destination recommendation, site inspections as well as event marketing and promotions.

MyCEB’s CEO Zulkefli Sharif said Tuty “is well on her way to becoming a change agent, reflected by her years of experience and unbridled enthusiasm in shaping the business events industry’s outlook”.

Her recent promotion to her current position is a reflection of MyCEB’s trust in her talent.

This feature is part of TTGmice December 2017/January 2018’s cover story, Graceful powers

TeamAsia is an award-winning integrated marketing communication firm. In our 25 years in the industry, TeamAsia has been recognized by several organizations such as the Mobile Web Awards, the Philippine Quill Awards, and the Web Awards for our excellence. Our biggest interest is bringing brands to the next level experience of visibility. Our expertise is developing strategic integrated marketing communication campaigns. We focus on connecting brands to their audiences through various innovative and relevant touch points that work harmoniously together. We do this by exploring innovation to its fullest potential through our core services.

Our digital team connects your brand to online, tech-savvy audiences by coming up with strategic content plans that highlight your products and services. We do this through digital marketing, social media, analytics, website development, and mobile app development.

Our creative team pushes the limit of imagination to create meaningful and strategic ideas for your brand. Our expertise lies in creative storytelling through the development of compelling designs and visual marketing materials.